How to Make a Snow Globe for a Great Gift

Want to design and build an artistic, vintage style snowglobe or snowdome? Make your own snow globe as a special gift! It's easy to make a snow globe - just follow these simple steps.

Things You'll Need

• snowglobe kit from snowdomes.com
• plastic model glue
• HO scale model figures or other waterproof figurines
• glitter if desired
• distilled water
• patience!

Instructions

1. 

   Step 1: Create your snowglobe scene by gluing your water-safe objects and figurines to the plastic base. Use the correct glue for adhering your objects to plastic (see instructions on the glue's packaging). Make sure that the position of your objects does not interfere with the seating of the dome onto the base. You should then allow ample time for the glue to dry before gluing the dome over your snow globe scene.

2. 

   Step 2: Glue the dome to the base. This is a critical step, requiring great care.

   a) Put a continuous bead of plastic glue in the little channel that runs inside the perimeter of the base. Gaps in the glue will allow your finished dome to leak, while too much glue can be messy. So be careful, but be sure that you have a continuous bead of glue in the channel.

   b) Carefully place the dome onto the base so that the the entire bottom edge of the dome seats in the glue. A tiny wiggle of the dome may help distribute the glue evenly.

   c) PRESS DOWN FIRMLY and keep pressing down on the dome for at least 30 SECONDS to create a good watertight seal. You must then allow ample time for the glue to dry completely before you proceed with filling. Overnight is best.

3. 

   Step 3: Add the "snow." A folded paper funnel can help deposit the snow through the filler hole in the base. If you wish to use something other than the included snow in your dome, something like glitter or tiny beads, this is fine, but you should test the material first to see how it moves in water and that it won't bleed color into the water.

4. 

   Step 4: Fill your dome with water. A turkey baster or a tiny funnel can be very helpful with this step. Use only still, un-aerated water. Distilled water is recommended but not absolutely necessary.

   Finally, insert the removable plug into the filler hole.

   Have fun and happy shaking!

Tips & Warnings

• http://www.snowdomes.com has snow globe kits in a range of sizes.

• You may find that some of the snow may rise to the top of a newly filled snowdome. This is due to tiny air bubbles clinging to the dry snow pieces, and can be especially severe if your water is shaken or aerated. But it will only take a little time for the snow to settle. Occasionally tapping the snowdome, base-down, on the tabletop will help. Another helpful tip: Add a tiny drop of dishwashing detergent (like Joy® dishwashing liquid on the tip of a toothpick) to the water in your dome. This helps break the surface tension of the tiny bubbles and can speed the settling of your snow.

• • Children must always be guided with adult supervision when making a snowdome.

• • Glue is not included in this kit. Be sure to use the correct type of glue. A plastic model glue works well for gluing the dome to the base. If the objects you are placing in your dome are not made of plastic, use a glue which is specified by its manufacturer for adhering that material to the plastic base.

• • Gluing must be done carefully or else your finished snowdome may leak or come apart.

• • At each gluing step, allow plenty of time for glue to dry before proceeding to the next step.

• • Make sure that the objects you are placing inside your snowdome are water-safe, that they will not rust, corrode or bleed color in water. If in doubt, it is best to test your objects by submerging them in a bowl of water for several days to see how they react.

Resources

• snowdomes.com for wonderful snowglobe kits in different sizes
• HO scale figurines and other cool objects to put in your snowglobe